NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla -- The city of Neptune Beach is going green. And they're setting a trend for the nation.
"We're very proud we're going green," said Mayor Harriet Pruette.
One small city making big strides. The roof of Neptune Beach City Hall is now lined with solar panels.
"Our staff installed it," she said. "That was one way we were able to do it is because our staff was able to install it. That saved us a lot of money."
Mayor Harriet Pruette says the 147 panel system, paid for with grant money, will generate 50,000 kilowatt hours per year. And the financial savings to the city are even bigger.
"It should save us between 600 and 800 dollars a month in electricity at city hall."
She says that's huge considering they don't have too many revenue sources in a small town like hers.
"Jacksonville Beach has Jacksonville Beach electric and things like that and Neptune Beach we just don't have that," she said. "So not only do we not have the money, we're just a one mile, one and a half mile town and we don't have the space to do a lot of things."
But beyond the savings she says its cool to watch her community lead the way. They're one of the first city halls in the county to make the move to solar.
"We're small and our city manager has tried to find ways to save our city money. And I think for the little bit that we get we do a good job."
The Mayor anticipates shell get to flip the switch on sometime next week.
